Grab the brooms, because Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets just swept the sportsbooks! Three different bets, from three different sportsbooks, and three winners. Never a doubt about it, and that now moves the column to 38.61 units on the season, less than 1.5 away from the season goal – and we are not even to the All-Star break! 

There are six games today and two nationally televised on NBATV. The lines are incredibly tight today with so many trades yesterday, and with three teams playing in the second of back-to-back games there are not nearly as many player props as usual. The sportsbooks have retreated their Scottie Barnes rebounding line after we beat them soundly two days ago, and it is not an option. 

The second nationally televised game on NBATV is the New Orleans Pelicans at the Los Angeles Lakers. The game begins at 10:30 PM ET, the Lakers are playing in the second of back-to-back games, and there is a wager in this match. The Denver Nuggets are playing in back-to-back games as well and tonight they are in Sacramento against the Kings. There is a player prop on an NBA champion in this game, and it’s probably not who you think it is. 

The Bet of the Night, miraculously falls on a player whose effort is constantly in question. A player who was content leaving a dynasty for a team that has not won fifty or more games in forty-five years. The Bet of the Night is on Jordan Poole.

 

Expert NBA Best Bet Today, 2/9

Jordan Poole Player Props: Over 2.5 Assists (-166 at DraftKings)

This line is on DraftKings, but if you are feeling lucky you could take Poole’s assists line over 3.5 at +126 over at FanDuel. He has gone over 3.5 in his three games played this month, in fact well over it. 

However, in January he had four or more just three times out of fifteen games. He averages 3.6 assists per game, which is not great for a guard, but would be all that is needed for this bet to succeed. The Washington Wizards were involved at the trade deadline, sending off their starting center Daniel Gafford. This could affect the rhythm of the team, but Jordan Poole’s minutes and role is likely to be unaffected. 

He has been passing more and is averaging 29.2 minutes per game this season. The Boston Celtics are average against assists, but allow the seventh fewest points to guards, implying Poole should be looking to pass when the defense is playing him tough. He is still one of the better players the Wizards have, and three assists should be achievable.

 

NBA Predictions & Player Props Today, 2/9

Harrison Barnes Player Props: Over 1.5 Threes Made (-145 at DraftKings)

Hello Mr. Barnes, and welcome to Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets. This is the first appearance of the 2015 NBA World Champion, but it may not be the last. The Sacramento Kings host the Denver Nuggets who are playing on back-to-back nights. 

Harrison Barnes was an important scorer for both the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks. He has played this entire decade with the Sacramento Kings and his role has slightly diminished in his eleventh season. He has become more of a ‘3&D’ small forward. That is to say a forward that plays excellent defense and has a high three point percentage. Barnes has made ninety-seven threes this season with a very respectable 39.8% from behind the arc. 

The Nuggets have a big front court with Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. This will keep most of Barnes’ field goal attempts outside. The corner of the courts are his favorite spots, and if left unattended is lethal. He has covered this threes made prop in six of his last nine games, and is playing against a team who had to play four tough quarters against the Lakers to earn a win. 

The Nuggets are tough against small forwards, but Harrison Barnes should continue scoring tonight at home.

 

Pelicans vs. Lakers Prediction: New Orleans Money Line (-142 at DraftKings)

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing the Los Angeles Lakers on NBATV in what should be a great game. The front courts dominate the scene for their teams with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson for the Pelicans and LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Lakers. 

The Lakers are playing in the second of back-to-back games, and some players could be rested or have minutes restrictions. Yet the Lakers are not in a position to give away many more games, they are only one game above .500 and only one game from being out of the play-in. 

The Pelicans are only 0.5 away from being in the play-in themselves. The Western Conference is as tough as it has ever been, and both of these teams need the highest ranking they can earn for a deep playoff push. CJ McCollum should be due for a fantastic night against a team that is terrible against the point guard position. 

Brandon Ingram is going to be a difficult match up for everyone but Anthony Davis, and if Jonas Valanciunas returns Davis will predominantly be matched up on him. There is the possibility that the Lakers rest their veterans and if they do this line will move drastically. Even if they do play, the Pelicans will be a difficult out for the Lakers and their backcourt.

 

Thanks for reading. Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs across multiple sports. 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise